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RENAL CELL CARCINOMA

New insights into the obesity paradox in renal cell carcinoma

Paradoxically, elevated BMI is a recognized positive prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A recent investigation of the transcriptomic signatures of RCC tumours and peritumoural tissues suggests potential biological mechanisms underlying this effect. However, the clinical utility of BMI in the context of RCC remains uncertain.

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Fig. 1: RCC tumour and microenvironment in patients with normal weight versus obesity.

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Correspondence to Daniel Y. C. Heng.

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D.Y.C.H. acts in an advisory role at Pfizer, Novartis, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Astellas Pharma, Ipsen, Eisai and Merck. C.L.G. declares no competing interests.

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Gan, C.L., Heng, D.Y.C. New insights into the obesity paradox in renal cell carcinoma. Nat Rev Nephrol 16, 253–254 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41581-020-0264-y

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